Mansfield Triathlon Club has become the first club in the East Midlands — and only the second in the country — to gain the coveted TriMark Club Silver Award.

The award is available only to clubs that demonstrate the highest standards of care, welfare and governance.

Clubs with the award are recognised as safe, rewarding and fulfilling places for participants of all genders and ages who want to be involved in the sport of triathlon.

For those looking to get into junior triathlon, the award shows a club has reached a level of accreditation that provides reassurance to parents and carers that it is the right club for their young people.

The silver award is currently the highest level of award offered by Triathlon England.

“This is a great accolade for the club. Our TriMark Club Silver Award comes off the back of our bronze award in 2018”, said club secretary Claire Allison.

“It complements our Club Mark Award from British Cycling, making us the highest accredited club in the UK.” Triathlon England was not only impressed by the club’s organisation, its enthusiastic members and the support offered by the juniors’ parents but recognised the best practice shown by the club regarding its community partnerships.

The club regularly runs junior training sessions the likes of Newstead Abbey, Clumber Park, Rufford Abbey, Vicar Water Country Park, Sherwood Pines and the open-air velodrome at Forest Town.

It also offers other activities, such as the recently-hosted bike maintenance workshop delivered by Lee Hardy, of completecyclist.com who offered tips to club members on how to keep their bikes in top working order.

The club continues to welcome new members of all genders, ages and abilities, and offers a programme of training activities for both junior and adult members.

The club’s busy training diary includes: •Juniors’ training 9am-noon on Saturdays, alternating between Forest Town Welfare and Ashfield School. •Club runs on Saturday mornings. •Swimming on Tuesday at 7.30pm at Watermeadows. •Open water swims during the summer. •Club bike rides on Sundays, meeting at Forest Town Welfare at 9:30am.